Date-printing mechanism for writing adding machines



H. A. FOOTH'ORAP. DATE PRINTING MECHANISM FOR WRITING ADDING MACHINES.-APPLICATION HLED DEC 31, 1920.

1,433,194; Patented 0015.24, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET l- H .v A.. FOOTHORAP. DATE PRINTING MECHANISM FOR WRITINGADDING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED DEC 31., I920.

Patented Oct. 24, 1922.

p UNITED STATES HARRY' RTHUR roorntonnr, or nnnnrsnnnc, rnnnsrnvnn'rn,assrenoa ro ELLIOTT-FISHER COMPANY, A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

DATE-PRINTING MECHANISM FOR WRITING ADDING MACHINES.

Application filed December 31, 1920. Serial No. 484,249.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that HARRY A. FooTHoRAP, a citizen of the United States,residing at Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin and State ofPennsylvania, has invented certain new and useful Improvements inDate-Printing Wechanism for lVriting Adding Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawing. 7 1

This invention relates to date printing mechanism for typewritingmachines.

The object of the invention is to equip a typewriter, more particularlyone of the flat platen class, with a mechanism, distinct from the usualtype arms, for printing a date or other data by a single stroke of thehand to save the time usually expended in the repetition of date writingor the typewriting of similar data which, in a particular line of work,may call for frequent repetition.

To the accomplishment of this object, one

embodiment of the invention resides in the structure illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a flat platen typewriter equipped with myinvention and having certain parts broken away.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine.

Figure 3 is a front elevation with parts broken away and others insection.

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view of the date printing mechanism. I

Figure 5 is a plan View of the ribbon guide associated with the dateprinting mechanism.

The machine illustrated as equipped with my invention, is what is knownas an Elliott- Fisher machine. This machine includes a flat platen 1traversed longitudinally by a line space frame 2 having front and rearguides 3 and 4 upon which travels transversely of the platen, a carriage5. The carriage 5 is equipped with the usual printing mechanismincluding a type segment 6 upon which are groupedthe type bars 7operated from keys 8. The illustration of this'type bar printingmechanism is fragmentary because it is well understood in the art and isbroadly distinguishable for the present purpose as the primary printingmechanism of the machine. The usual ribbon spools 9 are mounted atopposite ends of the carriage and from one to the other of these spoolsa ribbon 10is suitably guided in a path which presents a portion of theribbon at the common prlnting point 11 of the type bars.

In accordance with the present invention an auxiliary printing mechanismseparate and distinct from the usual type arms. or primary printingmechanism, is mounted at the left hand end of the machine as indi catedat 12. This printing mechanism in the illustrated embodiment is ofordinary construction, being the well known dating stamp, includingprinting wheels 13 having peripheral printing characters and the usualshank 14 which, in this instance, is pivotally secured at its upper end,as indicated at 15, to the front end of what may be termed asupplemental or auxiliary key lever 16 extended across the end of thecarriage. The lever 16 is pivoted at its rear end 17 and at its frontend is provided with a supplemental printing key 18 located at the frontof the machine and adjacent to the key board. The front end of the lever16 moves within a suitable guide 19.

Normally, the date printing mechanism assumes the elevated positionshown in Figure 2, but maybe presented to the work sheet by a blow uponthe key 18 in an obvious manner. The date printing is designed to beeffected through the medium of the ribbon of the typewriter, as theinking medium, and for this reason the machine is equipped with thespecial ribbon guide 20 clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. This guide ispreferably of metal. and is formed with a printing aperture 2]. directlyabove which the date printing mechanism is located. At opposite sides ofthe aperture 211.

are formed slits 22 and 23 through which the ribbon is threaded as itcomes across the front of the machine, so as to present a section of theribbon under the date printing mechanism and in position to serve as theinking means for the latter. From the slit 23 the ribbon is led aroundopposite edges of the guide to return it to a position in line with theadjacent spool, to which it is guided as shown. y meansof the guide 20 aportion of the ribbon will be seen to have been carried be yond one endof the carriage to serve the date printing mechanism, without in any wayaffecting the normal feed of the ribbon which constantly presents newportions of the latter in position for use.

While I have shown and: described the auxiliary printing mechanismas adate printer, it must be understood thatuin the broader aspects of theinvention the specific character of this printing mechanism and thecharacter of data printed thereby are not material, andiI thereforereserve the right to effect such modifications and variations of theillustrated structure *as' may be 'comprehended Within the scope of theappended claims. a

W'hatelI claim'fis irsu i 4 i 1. The:v combination with: a s i typewriting inachinepinclnding a movable carriage, type bars" andinkingribbon, of a secondary printing mechanism including a :key levermounted atmneendof thecarriage, printing mech-I anism married by thelever; and anfextensionv guide for the-iribbong said guide be? ingalocated aat the iend of'ithe carriagei'to guldieithe' ribbon .unde'r'theisecondaryiprintu ing mechanism and :to' support thel ribbon i at 12. The combination with a typewriting machine, including an'iovablecarriage, type bars and an inking ribbon,"of a secondaryprinting mechanismlocated beyond one end of thecarriageiand-fiineludinga key lever and a printing device carried thereby, a pair of ribbonspools mounted within the length of the carriage, means for guiding therib- Y bon from said spools past the printing point of the typebars""and an extension ribbon guide" for guiding the ribbon beyond one'end otthe' calriage in cooperative relatiorrto'the secondary" printing:inecha nis1n;

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses? HARRY:ARTHURTUOTHORAR

